A Management Strategy for Oneida Lake and its ... - CNY RPDB Home

Bridge over Chittenango Creek (Photo: Saltman)
Regional attractions, annual events, extensive
park and recreational facilities, excellent
boating and fishing access, and other
tourism opportunities greatly enhance the
watershed’s value. The numerous municipal,
county, and state parks and other
recreational facilities located throughout the
watershed offer a wide range of activities
such as swimming, hiking, bird watching,
fall foliage viewing, golfing, cross-country
skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hunting,
fishing, trapping, and camping. The
NYS DEC operates the Oneida Lake Fish
Cultural Station in Constantia. The station
is the largest state-of-the-art walleye hatchery
in the country. There are also two public
piers on the lake, located in Sylvan Beach
and Brewerton, and 12 state-run public
fishing access sites throughout the watershed.
Throughout history, fishing and boating has
played a major role in the social and economic
development of the region, and today, is one of
the main recreational uses of Oneida Lake.
Over 75 fish species were identified in the lake
in the 20 th century. The lake’s fishery is a major
contributor to the region’s tourism industry.
Oneida Lake has been identified as the most
important inland fishery and the fourth most
important sport fishery in New York State.
According to the NY Statewide Angler Survey,
the 1996 net economic value of Oneida Lake’s
freshwater fishery was estimated to be over $9.4
million, ranking it first among New York State’s
inland waters. Millions of people from all over
New York State and beyond annually spend
millions of dollars throughout the watershed as
they recreate on Oneida Lake, its tributaries, and
other smaller lakes in the watershed. For this
reason, the integrity of the lake and watershed
has a direct impact on the economic livelihood
of local municipalities.
In the Tug Hill region, fishing and hunting are
enjoyed by many local homeowners and out of
town visitors, and many industrial landowners
sell fishing and hunting leases to clubs to
provide sportsmen access to forestland. The
money raised by these leases helps offset tax
assessments against the property, making it
easier for businesses to maintain ownership of
large tracts in the northern part of the watershed.
During the winter, approximately 10-15 thousand
snowmobiles each weekend use the trails
on Tug Hill according to the Lewis County
Chamber of Commerce. A 1990 study found
that snowmobiling generates $8 million each
season in the Tug Hill region. Throughout the
watershed, tourism benefits extend to surrounding
businesses as visitors take advantage of the
region’s lodging, restaurants, shops, and other
facilities.
Chapter 2: Oneida Lake and Its Watershed page 19